Tiger shark: Difference between revisions

in 2023 a guy (pierce duncan) got attacked by a tiger shark off of the coast of egypt The tiger shark is second only to the [[great white shark|great white]] in recorded fatal attacks on humans, but these events are still exceedingly rare.<ref name=flmnh/><ref>{{cite web |title=Yearly Worldwide Shark Attack Summary |url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/#:~:text=The%202020%20worldwide%20total%20of,were%20confirmed%20to%20be%20unprovoked. |website=floridamuseum.ufl.edu |access-date=2021-06-11 |archive-date=2021-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611221241/https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/#:~:text=The%202020%20worldwide%20total%20of,were%20confirmed%20to%20be%20unprovoked. |url-status=live }}</ref>

The tiger shark commonly attains adult length of {{convert|3.5|to(-)|4.7|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} and weighs between {{cvt|300|and|900|kg|lb|-2}}.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259701582 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0084799|doi-access=free |title=Growth and Maximum Size of Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) in Hawaii |year=2014 |last1=Meyer |first1=Carl G. |last2=O'Malley |first2=Joseph M. |last3=Papastamatiou |first3=Yannis P. |last4=Dale |first4=Jonathan J. |last5=Hutchinson |first5=Melanie R. |last6=Anderson |first6=James M. |last7=Royer |first7=Mark A. |last8=Holland |first8=Kim N. |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=e84799 |pmid=24416287 |pmc=3885620 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...984799M }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite journal |author1=Michael R. Heithaus, Aaron J. Wirsing, Jordan A. Thomson, Derek A. Burkholder |title=A review of lethal and non-lethal effects of predators on adult marine turtles |journal=Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology |date=2008 |issuevolume=356 |issue=1–2 |pages=43–51 |url=https://www.academia.edu/download/42215993/A_review_of_lethal_and_non-lethal_effect20160206-21141-bbfvq6.pdf |publisher=Elsevier |doi=10.1016/j.jembe.2007.12.013 |bibcode=2008JEMBE.356...43H }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[International Game Fish Association]]'s all-tackle record is {{cvt|810|kg|lb}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=IGFA Member Services |url=https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/common-name/Shark,%20tiger |website=igfa.org}}</ref> It is [[Sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]], with females being the larger sex. Mature females are often over {{convert|3.7|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} while mature males rarely get that large.<ref name=flmnh/><ref>Marin-Osorno, R., Ezcurra, J. M., & O’Sullivan, J. B. (2017). ''Husbandry of the Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, at the Acuario de Veracruz, México''. The elasmobranch husbandry manual II: Recent advances in the care of sharks, rays and their relatives, 23–32.</ref><ref name= Meyer>Meyer, C. G., O'Malley, J. M., Papastamatiou, Y. P., Dale, J. J., Hutchinson, M. R., Anderson, J. M., Royer, M. A. & Holland, K. N. (2014). ''Growth and maximum size of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) in Hawaii''. PLoS One, 9(1), e84799.</ref><ref>Randall, J. E. (1986). ''Sharks of Arabia''. University of California.</ref> Exceptionally large females reportedly can measure over {{convert|5|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}, and the largest males {{convert|4|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}. Weights of particularly large female tiger sharks can exceed {{convert|1300|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Meyer/><ref>Hinman, B. (2015). ''Keystone Species That Live in the Sea and Along the Coastline''. Mitchell Lane Publishers, Inc.</ref><ref>Ramirez, F., & Davenport, T. L. (2013). ''Elasmobranchs from marine and freshwater environments in Colombia: A review''. Current Politics and Economics of South and Central America, 6(4), 483.</ref><ref name="auto"/> One pregnant female caught off Australia reportedly measured {{convert|5.5|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} long and weighed {{convert|1524|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Even larger unconfirmed catches have been claimed.<ref name=Wood>{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Gerald |title=The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats |year=1983 |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |isbn=978-0-85112-235-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofan00wood }}</ref> Some papers have accepted a record of an exceptional {{convert|7.4|m|ftin|adj=on}}, {{Convert|3110|kg|lb|adj=on}} tiger shark, but since this is far larger than any scientifically observed specimen, verification would be needed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Simpfendorfer |first1=C. A. |last2=Goodreid |first2=A. B. |last3=McAuley |first3=R. B. |year=2001 |title=Size, sex and geographic variation in the diet of the tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, from Western Australian waters |journal=Environmental Biology of Fishes |volume=61 |issue=1 |pages=37–46 |doi=10.1023/A:1011021710183 |bibcode=2001EnvBF..61...37S |s2cid=39996373 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tobuni |first1=I. M. |last2=Benabdallah |first2=B. A. R. |last3=Serena |first3=F. |last4=Shakman |first4=E. A. |year=2016 |title=First documented presence of Galeocerdo cuvier (Péron & Lesueur, 1822) ({{sc|Elasmobranchii}}, {{sc|Carcharhinidae}}) in the Mediterranean basin (Libyan waters) |journal=Marine Biodiversity Records |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=94 |doi=10.1186/s41200-016-0089-3 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Galeocerdo cuvier, Tiger shark : fisheries, gamefish |url=https://www.fishbase.se/summary/886 |website=www.fishbase.se}}</ref> A 2019 study suggested that [[Pliocene]] tiger sharks could have reached {{convert|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} in maximum length.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Pimiento|first1=C.|last2=Cantalapiedra|first2=J.L.|last3=Shimada|first3=K.|last4=Field|first4=D.J.|last5=Smaers|first5=J.B.|year=2019|title=Evolutionary pathways toward gigantism in sharks and rays|journal=Evolution|volume=73|issue=3|pages=588–599|doi=10.1111/evo.13680|pmid=30675721|s2cid=59224442|issn=1558-5646|url=https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48696/Download/0048696-05022019162842.pdf }}</ref> There is variation in the speed of growth rates of juvenile tiger sharks depending on the region they inhabit, with some growing close to twice as fast as others.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meyer |first1=Carl G. |last2=O'Malley |first2=Joseph M. |last3=Papastamatiou |first3=Yannis P. |last4=Dale |first4=Jonathan J. |last5=Hutchinson |first5=Melanie R. |last6=Anderson |first6=James M. |last7=Royer |first7=Mark A. |last8=Holland |first8=Kim N. |date=2014-01-08 |title=Growth and Maximum Size of Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) in Hawaii |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=e84799 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0084799 |pmid=24416287 |pmc=3885620 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...984799M |issn=1932-6203 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The tiger shark is an [[apex predator]]<ref name=Heithaus2001a/> and has a reputation for eating almost anything.<ref name=flmnh/> These predators swim close inland to eat at night, and during the day swim out into deeper waters.<ref>[http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=37 Tiger Sharks, ''Galeocerdo cuvier''] {{Webarchive|url=https://wwwarchive.webcitation.orgtoday/20120711024330/6HumoyBPq?url=http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=37 |date=20132012-07-0611 }}. marinebio.org</ref> Young tiger sharks are found to feed largely on [[Teleostei|small fish]], as well as various small [[jellyfish]], and [[mollusk]]s including [[cephalopod]]s. Around the time they attain {{convert|2.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, or near sexual maturity, their selection expands considerably, and much larger animals become regular prey.<ref name=Lowe/> Numerous [[fish]], [[crustacean]]s, [[sea bird]]s, [[sea snake]]s,<ref name=Heithaus2004/> [[marine mammal]]s (e.g. [[bottlenose dolphin]]s (''Tursiops''), [[common dolphin]]s (''Delphinus''),<ref name=Heithaus2002/> [[spotted dolphin]]s (''Stenella''),<ref name=Maldini/> [[dugong]]s (''Dugong dugon''), [[Pinniped|seal]]s and [[sea lion]]s, and [[sea turtle]]s (including the three largest species: the [[Leatherback sea turtle|leatherback]] (''Dermochelys coriacea''),<ref>[http://www.sharkdefenders.com/2011/04/tiger-sharks-killed-for-eating.html Tiger Sharks Killed for Eating Leatherback Turtles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126102550/http://www.sharkdefenders.com/2011/04/tiger-sharks-killed-for-eating.html |date=2013-01-26 }}. Shark Defenders (2011-04-16). Retrieved on 2013-03-23.</ref> the [[Loggerhead sea turtle|loggerhead]] (''Caretta caretta'')<ref>[http://www2.fiu.edu/~heithaus/SBERP/projects/turtres.html Shark Bay Ecosystem Research Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321064352/http://www2.fiu.edu/~heithaus/SBERP/projects/turtres.html |date=2013-03-21 }}. .fiu.edu. Retrieved on 2013-03-23.</ref> and the [[green sea turtle]]s (''Chelonia mydas'')<ref name=Lowe/>), are regularly eaten by adult tiger sharks. In fact, adult sea turtles have been found in up to 20.8% of studied tiger shark stomachs, indicating somewhat of a dietary preference for sea turtles where they are commonly encountered.<ref>Witzell, W. N. (1987). ''Selective predation on large cheloniid sea turtles by tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier)''. Japanese Journal of Herpetology, 12(1), 22–29.</ref> They also eat other sharks (including adult [[sandbar shark]]s (''Carcharhinus plumbeus'')), as well as [[Batoidea|ray]]s, and sometimes even [[cannibalism|other tiger sharks]].<ref name=SharkInfo/><ref name=Lowe/>

Notably, terrestrial mammals, including [[horse]]s (''Equus ferus caballus''), [[goat]]s (''Capra aegagrus hircus''), [[sheep]] (''Ovis aries''), [[dog]]s (''Canis lupus familiaris''), [[cat]]s (''Felis catus''), and [[brown rat]]s (''Rattus norvegicus''), are fairly common in the stomach contents of tiger sharks around the coasts of Hawaii.<ref name=Lowe/> In one case, remains of two flying foxes were found in the stomach of this shark.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Mikula, P. |title= Fish and amphibians as bat predators|journal= European Journal of Ecology|volume= 1|doi= 10.1515/eje-2015-0010|year= 2015|issue =1|pages =71–80|doi-broken-date= 2024-03-20|doi-access= free}}</ref> Because of its aggressive and indiscriminate feeding style, it often mistakenly eats inedible objects, such as automobile [[Vehicle registration plate|license plates]], [[oil]] cans, [[tire]]s, and [[Baseball (object)|baseballs]].<ref name=SharkInfo/> Due to their habits of eating essentially anything, Tiger sharks are often referred to as the "''garbage can of the sea''".

The tiger shark is captured and killed for its [[Fish anatomy#Fins|fins]], [[flesh]], and [[liver]]. It is caught regularly in target and nontarget fisheries. Several populations have declined where they have been heavily fished. Continued demand for fins may result in further declines. They are considered a [[endangered species|near threatened species]] due to excessive [[shark finning|finning]] and fishing by humans according to [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> In June 2018, the New Zealand [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] classified the tiger shark as "Migrant" with the qualifier "Secure Overseas" under the [[New Zealand Threat Classification System]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/nztcs23entire.pdf|title=Conservation status of New Zealand chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks and rays), 2016|last1=Duffy|first1=Clinton A. J.|last2=Francis|first2=Malcolm|last3=Dunn|first3=M. R.|last4=Finucci|first4=Brit|last5=Ford|first5=Richard|last6=Hitchmough|first6=Rod|last7=Rolfe|first7=Jeremy|publisher=Department of Conservation|year=2018|isbn=9781988514628|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=10|oclc=1042901090|access-date=2019-01-20|archive-date=2019-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128120736/https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/nztcs23entire.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 1959 and 20001976, 4,668 tiger sharks were [[culling|culled]] in the state of Hawaii in an effort to protect the [[tourism]] industry.{{Where|date=October 2023}} <ref>https://www.himb.hawaii.edu/ReefPredator/Tiger%20Shark%20Active%20Tracking.htm</ref>Despite damaging the shark population, these efforts were shown to be ineffective in decreasing the number of interactions between humans and tiger sharks. Feeding sharks in Hawaii (except for traditional Hawaiian cultural or religious practices) is illegal,<ref name=Hawaii_Statutes/><ref name=WPRFMC/> and interaction with them, such as [[Shark cage diving|cage diving]], is discouraged. South African shark behaviorist and shark diver Mark Addison demonstrated divers could interact and dive with them outside of a shark cage in a 2007 [[Discovery Channel]] special,<ref name=Donahue/> and underwater photographer [[Fiona Ayerst]] swam with them in [[the Bahamas]].<ref name=Donahue/><ref>[http://www.magazines.co.za/issue/200905201.html Riveting Shark Encounters: Fiona Ayerst recounts ... gentle tiger shark in the warm silky waters of the Bahamas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090040/http://www.magazines.co.za/issue/200905201.html |date=2014-08-19 }}. Magazines.co.za (June/July 2009)</ref> At "Tiger Beach" off Grand Bahama, uncaged diving with – and even the handling of – female tiger sharks has become a routine occurrence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blueworldtv.com/webisodes/watch/tiger-shark-handling |title=Tiger shark handling |publisher=Jonathan Bird's Blue World |access-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226050919/http://www.blueworldtv.com/webisodes/watch/tiger-shark-handling |url-status=live }}</ref>

Warming Atlantic Ocean currents have caused tiger shark migration paths to move further north, according to a University of Miami study.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate Change is Driving Tiger Sharks Into New Waters With Shocking Speed and Unknown Consequences |url=https://outrider.org/climate-change/articles/climate-change-driving-tiger-sharks-new-waters-shocking-speed-and-unknown |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Outrider}}</ref>

The Tiger shark,sharks possess a unique significance as 'aumakua, revered as family guardians in Hawaiian culture. The Tiger shark, regarded as an intelligent and highly perceptive spiritual entity, assumes the role of a messenger bridging the gap between humans and the divine. In the Hawaiian belief system, 'aumakua take on various forms, either animals or objects, representing ancestral connections and manifestations of departed family members. This perspective underscores the intricate web of interdependence among plants, animals, elements, and humans, underscoring the imperative to honor and coexist harmoniously with nature.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cultural Significance of Sharks in Hawaii |date=25 July 2023 |url=https://www.hawaiiactivities.com/travelguide/cultural-significance-sharks/ |publisher=Dimple}}</ref>